Ceann Comhairle brands cost of €336k Leinster House bike shed a 'profound embarrassment'

The bike shelter at Leinster House holds 18 bikes and the structure consists of a steel-framed, glazed canopy to ensure long-term durability, the OPW said.

The cost of a €336,000 bike shed at Leinster House is a "profound embarrassment", the Dáil has been told.

Opening the first Dáil session of the new term, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the bike shed's cost was "indefensible" and "unwarranted".

He said the chair of the (Office of Public Works) OPW would be asked to come before the Dáil Business Committee next week. He referred to the OPW as the "landlord" of Leinster House.

The shelter, which holds 18 bikes, cost €322,282 for construction and installation, according to the breakdown of costs from the OPW. A further €2,952 was spent on archaeological services while €10,816 was paid for quantity surveying services and “contract administration services”.

In a statement earlier this month, the OPW said the project was procured via a framework agreement and complies with public procurement and planning guidelines. It also said: "We recognise the importance of ensuring that public money is spent transparently."

The bike shed involved "several unique challenges" and it was stipulated in the planning application that it was to have no material impact on "the historic fabric of Leinster House".

The structure consists of a steel-framed, glazed canopy to ensure long-term durability, the OPW said.

"The materials used, including Irish granite, glass and steel, were carefully selected not only for their durability, but also for their compatibility with the historic setting of our national parliament."

Mr O Fearghail said the spend had been "rightly criticised". He said:

I know that I speak for everyone in this house when I say that it is a profound embarrassment and the depth of the public's anger is entirely justified.

“Specifically, it is important to find out why the value of the project wasn’t queried when the cost became clear to the OPW.

“As public representatives, we don’t get everything right and we can be rightly criticised for some of the things we do.

“However, we understand that taxpayers' money must be spent prudently and carefully and we know how galling it is for those struggling to pay their bills to read about excessive expenditure of this nature on a bike shelter in Leinster House.

“Whatever the findings of the OPW’s review, lessons must be and will be learned. There cannot be a repeat of such unwarranted and indefensible expenditure of taxpayers money.”